(19)

(11)

EP 1 292 342 A1

(12)

(43) Date of publication: 19.03.2003 Bulletin 2003/12 (21) Application number: 01948257.9 (22) Date of filing: 31.05.2001

(51) International Patent Classification (IPC)7: A61M 5/00 (86) International application number: PCT/US0117/649 (87) International publication number: WO 0109/3924 (13.12.2001 Gazette 2001/50)

(84) Designated Contracting States: AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LI LU MC NL PT SE TR Designated Extension States: AL LT LV MK RO SI (30) Priority: 05.06.2000 US 588151 (71) Applicant: MDC INVESTMENT HOLDINGS, INC. Wilmington, DE 19801 (US)	(72) Inventors: HALSETH, Thor, R. Simi Valley, CA 93065 (US) MCWETHY, Robert, T. Ventura, CA 93004 (US) BOTICH, Michael, J. Oxnard, CA 93030 (US) (74) Representative: Newby, Martin John  JY & GW Johnson,Kingsbourne House,229-231 High Holborn London WC1V 7DP London WC1V 7DP (GB)